The population of Iceland is 323,000. Can someone explain how a country with a population the size of Cincinnati, Ohio can produce a talented national team that is second in its European Championship qualifying group, five points ahead of Holland and on track to qualify for next year’s finals?

Ireland scored a late equalizer through Shane Long against Poland to keep alive their fading hopes of qualification. The result maintained the legendary status of Martin O'Neil for now. In truth, Ireland were poor for half the match and look like they have made little progress with Saint Martin in charge.

Harry Kane is a good Premier League player, but he is not the player the Spurs star is being made out to be. The English media is desperate to create the next superstar who they can eventually tear down on the front and back pages. Kane scored a goal on his debut against Lithuania and the media went into hyperbolic overdrive. Give the player a chance to develop his game before anointing him as the heir to Alan Shearer. A penny for the thoughts of Martin O'Neill, who missed out on having the son of a Galway man, play in the green of Ireland.

Most neutral fans will not begrudge Wales a place at next years European Finals. In Gareth Bale they have a true world superstar who deserves to play for his country on the world stage. It could be a few years before Chris Coleman and Wales have a better chance to qualify for a major tournament. Can Bale achieve what Ryan Giggs, Ian Rush, Mark Hughes, Neville Southall and company failed to do in a red shirt?

Pressure is mounting on Jurgen Klinsmann following the latest pair of poor performances by the USA versus Denmark and Switzerland respectively. The German has had a major influence on the changes in philosophy being undertaken by US Soccer. However, despite a lot of progress at all levels of the game in America, he will be judged on the success of the senior team. Klinsmann is now under pressure to deliver a Gold Cup championship this summer, or questions will be asked about his reign.

Brazil played Chile in a friendly in front of 60,000 fans at the Emirates Stadium in London, England. Meanwhile, back home in Brazil the stadiums built and refurbished for last summer’s 2014 World Cup are already falling into disrepair or lying vacant. It is another sign of all that is wrong in the modern game where Brazil’s football federation can make more money from a game played in London than it can from one played in Rio.

Another team that continues to sell its soul to the highest bidder is Argentina. They played two games in the USA with the lure of watching Lionel Messi to draw in spectators. Unfortunately for the neutral American soccer fan, the little maestro was injured and did not play in either game. I am sure refunds are in the mail.

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz and his American assistant, Dan Gaspar stepped down after the recent loss to Sweden. Queiroz usually has another role lined up when making such decisions. What are the odds on him becoming the head coach of Qatar and leading them in preparations for the 2022 World Cup to be held in that country?